This document summarizes information about the Local Organic Food Co-ops (LOFC) Network in Ontario, Canada. The network connects 55 established and emerging food co-ops across Ontario dedicated to cultivating a more sustainable food system. It aims to build individual co-op and network capacity through connection, sharing, education, and advocacy. The network has grown from 7 co-ops in 2011 to 22 in 2013 and represents different ownership models including producer-owned, consumer-owned, worker-owned, and multistakeholder co-ops.

1. Co-Creating Regional
Resilience in Ontario
Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference
Kingston, Ontario
Dec. 3, 2013

2. If diverse communities of people are going to envision a more sustainable
future and then co-create viable and innovative strategies for getting there,
they must first see themselves as being inextricably connected to one
another and to the natural environment
-- Myriam Laberge and Ann Svendsen

3. What is the Network?
55 established and emerging co-ops across Ontario
dedicated to co-operatively cultivating a more
sustainable food system
Build Capacity
• Individual Co-op
• Network strength
Network
• Connect
• Share
Learn
• Educate
• Advocate

4. Legend:
Start-Up
Existing
Succession

5. Network’s Operating Values
1. Bringing local farmers and eaters
into closer relationship
2. Growing and supplying fresh,
healthy food locally
3. Keeping money in the
community
4. Trading fairly, both domestically
and internationally
5. Saving energy, building the soil,
and protecting water
6. Celebrating good food, culture
and community

6. LOFC Network Development
50
8
40
8
30
20
10
18
13
7
7
15
22
5
0
2011
Start-Up
2012
Emerging
2013
Established

7. Co-op Ownership Models
• Producer-Owned

Farmer-Owned
Organic Meadow
• Consumer-Owned 
Eater-Owned
Mountain Equipment Co-op
• Worker-Owned
La Siembra Co-op (Camino Brand)
• Multistakeholder
West End Food Co-op

8. Virtual Co-operation

19. Thank you!
hrenglich@onfc.ca
http://cultivatingfoodcoops.net
facebook.com/cultivatingfoodcoops
@lofcnetwork